Question 1

Given that figure A is an equilateral triangle, and one of its sides has a length of 1 foot. It follows that its area is less than 1 square foot.

Accepted Answer

A)  Inductive, strong. 
B)  Inductive, uncogent. 
C)  Inductive, weak. 
D)  Deductive, valid. 
E)  Deductive, invalid.

Question 2

Henry and Carl, who are neighbors, are about the same age, and they both have heart conditions. Henry takes Digitoxin for his heart, and it relieves his symptoms. Therefore, it would be a good idea for Carl to take the same medicine for his heart.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, valid. 
B)  Deductive, invalid. 
C)  Inductive, cogent. 
D)  Inductive, weak. 
E)  Inductive, strong.

Question 3

Andrea is the sister of Henry, and Henry is the brother of Bill. Thus, Bill is the brother of Andrea.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, sound. 
B)  Deductive, valid. 
C)  Inductive, weak. 
D)  Deductive, invalid. 
E)  Inductive, strong.

Question 4

The finger prints on the gun match those of the defendant. Therefore, the defendant must have handled the gun.

Accepted Answer

A)  Inductive, weak. 
B)  Deductive, valid. 
C)  Deductive, invalid. 
D)  Deductive, uncogent. 
E)  Inductive, strong.

Question 5

Anything can be measured. If a thing can be observed in any way at all, it lends itself to some type of measurement method. No matter how "fuzzy" the measurement is, it's still a measurement if it tells you more than you knew before. And challenges posed by those things most likely to be seen as immeasurable are, virtually always, met by relatively simple measurement methods. Dougles W. Hubbard, How to Measure Anything

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: If a thing can be observed ... measurement method. 
B)  Argument; conclusion: Anything can be measured. 
C)  Argument; conclusion: And challenges posed ... simple measurement methods. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: No matter how "fuzzy" ... more than you knew before. 
E)  Nonargument.

Question 6

The U.S. is the largest single market in the world in terms of national income. It represents roughly 25 percent of the total world market for all products and services. Thus, U.S. companies that wish to achieve maximum growth potential must "go global" because 75 percent of the world market potential is outside their home country. Warren J. Keegan and Mark C. Green, Global Marketing

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: U.S. companies that wish ... must "go global." 
B)  Argument; conclusion: It represents ... products and services. 
C)  Argument; conclusion: 75 percent of the world market ... home country. 
D)  Nonargument. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: The U.S. is the largest ... national income.

Question 7

Which of the following is an inductive argument?

Accepted Answer

A)  An argument from analogy. 
B)  A categorical syllogism. 
C)  A consequent. 
D)  A piece of advice. 
E)  An argument from definition.

Question 8

The mineral source of many manufactured items is not commonly known. For example, few people are aware that pencil lead does not contain lead metal but is really made of the soft black mineral called graphite. Talcum powder is ground-up rock made from the mineral talc. And the common mineral quartz is the main ingredient in ordinary glass and is the source of silicon for computer chips. Frederick K. Lutgens, et al., Foundations of Earth Science, 6th ed.

Accepted Answer

A)  Nonargument. 
B)  Argument; conclusion: Talcum powder ... made from the mineral talc. 
C)  Argument; conclusion: The mineral source ... is not commonly known. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: And the common mineral quartz ... computer chips. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: For example, few people are aware ... called graphite.

Question 9

Which of the following words is a conclusion indicator?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because. 
B)  For. 
C)  Implies that. 
D)  Inasmuch as. 
E)  For the reason that.

Question 10

Right wing columnist and author Michelle Malkin says that the forced relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps during World war II was really for their own protection. Therefore, we must drop that silly nonsense that this internment was a monstrous injustice, and start thinking of it as a humanitarian endeavor.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, invalid. 
B)  Inductive, strong. 
C)  Deductive, valid. 
D)  Inductive, weak. 
E)  Deductive, unsound.

Question 11

As the universe expands, it gets colder and colder. Furthermore, this expansion will continue for ever and ever. Therefore, at some point in the future the universe will become too cold to support human life, and all humans will perish.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, invalid. 
B)  Deductive, valid. 
C)  Deductive, sound. 
D)  Inductive, strong. 
E)  Inductive, weak.

Question 12

Photographs taken from space show that Earth is striking in its beauty. Blue oceans cover nearly three-fourths of the surface, broken by the continental land masses and scattered islands. The polar caps are white with snow and ice, and white clouds are scattered above the surface. At night, the glow of artificial lights clearly reveals the presence of an intelligent civilization. Jeffrey Bennett, et al., The Cosmic Perspective, 3rd edition

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: The polar caps ... above the surface. 
B)  Nonargument. 
C)  Argument; conclusion: Blue oceans ... scattered islands. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: At night, the glow ... an intelligent civilization. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: Photographs taken from space ... striking in its beauty.

Question 13

Either Jennifer Lawrence or Elon Musk is a popular film star. But Jennifer Lawrence is not a film star at all. Therefore, Elon Musk is a popular film star.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, valid. 
B)  Inductive, weak. 
C)  Deductive, cogent. 
D)  Deductive, invalid. 
E)  Inductive, strong.

Question 14

If people buy cars that are more efficient, replace large appliances with energy efficient ones, unplug unused freezers and refrigerators, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent models, and plant trees on private property and public land, then millions of tons of heat-trapping gasses will be kept out of the atmosphere, the current level of these gasses will be reduced, and the catastrophic consequences of global warming will be averted.

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: People buy cars ... private property and public land. 
B)  Nonargument. 
C)  Argument; conclusion: Millions of tons ... out of the atmosphere. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: The catastrophic consequences ... will be averted. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: Millions of tons of heat-trapping gasses ... will be averted.

Question 15

While the topical application of fluoride to children's teeth can help reduce decay, the addition of fluoride to drinking water is definitely not a good idea. Fluoride in drinking water has caused widespread dental fluorosis (mottled and discolored enamel), it is a cumulative poison, which means that it builds up in bone and tissue, and it has been linked to lower IQ in children and to Alzheimer's disease in adults.

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: The addition of fluoride ... not a good idea. 
B)  Argument; conclusion: Fluoride is a cumulative poison. 
C)  Nonargument. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: The topical application of fluoride ... reduce decay. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: It has been linked ... Alzheimer's disease in adults.

Question 16

Louis graduated from college after Cheri, and Cheri graduated before Denise. Therefore, it follows necessarily that Louis graduated before Denise.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, valid. 
B)  Deductive, invalid. 
C)  Inductive, strong. 
D)  Inductive, sound. 
E)  Inductive, weak.

Question 17

The engraved plate beneath this painting in the art museum says "Monet." Therefore, the painting must be the work of Monet.

Accepted Answer

A)  Inductive, cogent. 
B)  Inductive, weak. 
C)  Deductive, valid. 
D)  Inductive, strong. 
E)  Deductive, invalid.

Question 18

The billboard ad for Joe's Used Cars says that Joe has fantastic deals. Therefore, it must be the case that Joe does indeed have fantastic deals.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive, invalid. 
B)  Inductive, unsound. 
C)  Deductive, valid. 
D)  Inductive, weak. 
E)  Inductive, strong.

Question 19

It is a fact that major life forms now on earth were not at all represented in the past. There were no birds or mammals 250 million years ago. It is a fact that major life forms of the past are no longer living. There used to be dinosaurs and Pithecanthropus, and there are none now. It is a fact that all living forms came from previously living forms. Therefore, all present forms of life arose from ancestral forms that were different: birds arose from nonbirds and humans from nonhumans. R.C. Lewontin, "Evolution/Creation Debate: A Time for Truth"

Accepted Answer

A)  Argument; conclusion: It is a fact that all living forms ... previously living forms. 
B)  Argument; conclusion: It is a fact that major life forms of the past are no longer living. 
C)  Nonargument. 
D)  Argument; conclusion: It is a fact that major life forms ... represented in the past. 
E)  Argument; conclusion: All present forms of life ... forms that were different.

Question 20

PART A All corporate mergers are either success stories or fiascos. Hence, some corporate mergers are fiascos.
Which of the following correctly expresses the form of this argument?
A) All C are S.
B) All CM are either S or F.
Some C are F.
Some C are F.
C) Some C are F.
D) All C are either S or F.
All C are either S or F.
Some C are F.
E) If C then either S or F.
If C then F.
PART B
Which of the following substitutions proves the argument invalid?

A)$\mathrm { C } = \text { mammals. } \mathrm { F } = \text { dogs. } \mathrm { S } = \text { cats. }$ 
B)$\mathrm { C } = \operatorname { dogs } , \mathrm { S } = \text { mammals, } \mathrm { F } = \mathrm { fish } .$ 
C)$\mathrm { C } = \text { animals, } \mathrm { S } = \text { fish, } \mathrm { F } = \text { mammals. }$ 
D)$\mathrm { C } =$ Leonardo DiCaprio is a man, $\mathrm { S } =$ Leonardo DiCaprio is a human, $\mathrm { F } =$ Leonardo DiCaprio is a woman. 
E)$\mathrm { C } = \text { cats, } \mathrm { S } = \text { mammals, } \mathrm { F } = \text { animals. }$

Accepted Answer

The answer of PART A All corporate mergers are either...

Exam 1: Basic Concepts